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ot`,a clamp and a packing-block.

@eine sans gte-itat Trim@ er.' wnrrn,- or vnaw BRIGHTON, fPENNSYLVANIA.

` .Lam Pimm No.. 75,502, ma March -io, 186s,

To ALL wHoM rr MArfcoNcEnN: i l p V A Be it known that I, 1T. B. WHITE, of New ,Brightob fylh @Gumy 0f Beaver, and State of Pennsylvania,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements Vin the Construction of Bridges; and Ido 'hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and'exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making. part of this specification, and to the letters of reference ymarked thereon, like lette'r's indicating "like parts whereverV they occur."

To enable o thers skilled li-n the art to'construct'and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it. My invention relates to bridges,- and consists in constructing clamps and packing-blocks of a novelform, of

wrought iron, for splicing the chords of wooden bridges, and for keeping the timbers ofthe chords fromcontact, I

so as to allow a free circulation of air and'clear passages for water. In the drawings-- Figure 1 is a side view ofthe section of a chord, showing how the clamps and packing-blocks are used. Figures 2, 3, and 4 are perspective views ofthe clamps and packing-blocks detached. i In thc construction of wooden bridges,vitiis a matter of the first'. importance to haveV the timbers forming chords firmly spliced, and a't the same time to keep their parallel surfaces from coming in contact, so as to guard as much aspssible againstdecay, by providing for a freecirculation of air, and clear openings for the passage of water. These objects are fully secured by my clnmp'and packing-blocks, constructed and used as hereinafter described. l

The chords of wooden bridges usually consist of a series of rectilinear timbers placed parallel with each other, with lapping splices, and'often with theirparallel surfaces in contact. My method of constructing these `chords is clearly shown in iig. 1.

'The rectilinear timbers A, 13,0, C', and D, have the clampsiand packing-blocks E, F, and G placed between A.their opposing sides, as shown Ain fig. 1. The clamps andpacki'ng-blocks I make out ol" wrought iron, and in diil'erentforms, as shown in figs. 2, 3, and 4, and so construct them that each piece Ianswers the double purpose In constructing the clamp. and packngblock E, I take two pieces of wrought iron, a, 'of suitable length, width, and thickness for the chord ofthe bridge for which the clamp and packing-block are intended, and weld upon the opposite sides oi' their ends the cross-pieces 6 b', with their edges e c `turned up at right angles,'jand ,ilush' with the ends of the pieces a, as clearly shown in g. 2.. The clamp and packing-block thus made has an .opening in `the centre, as wellrasopeni'ngs between the pieces'b, of the width of the thickness of the piece a,

as shown. i

The packing-block Eis made in a similar manner of the pieces e and f, but without having lthe edges of the pieces 'f turned up so as to forniclamps. The form andimode of construction ofi'this block are clearly -shownin fig. 3. l f

I construct another form bf clampjand packing-block, G', 'as shownin fig. 4, by taking two pieces of wrbught iron, 7L, of any desired thickness and length, and bend up theirzends', h', at right'angles to their length, solids to form a clamp. The pieces Iz, I connect with the cross-pieces g and y. vThe cross-pieces g I bend at right angles l'with their width, so that the upright side z' will vbe of the same -lxeight with the ends h', all as clearly shown 'iniig.4.'v. V` i' I The clamp and packing-block E is' shown as introduced between the timbers A. andV B, iig. 1. SuitableA gains or grooves are cut in the opposing surfaces of the timber to receive the clamps or bent edges c c', and so as to'allow the timbers lto come close to the llat surfaces b. The timbers A and B will then be kept apart a distance equalto the thicknessof th'e pieces ab4 b; -ther surfaces' will be nowhere in contact, and there will be plenty of space for the `free circulation of air and the free passage of water.

. Y 'Theclamping and packing-block F, I place between the timbers B and G and C". vThe object and.` eiiect are nearly the same as in the use of the clamping and packingfblock lE; the pieces f being let suliiciently into the opposing surfaces of the timbers to prevent their moving separately. The timbers CV and C form one continuous line, being joined at II, asshown in g.1, and the blocks F, as shown, serve in part to splice them. The blocks E from their form would also accomplish this purpose, and more eiectually than the `blocks F; but this splicing is mbst eiectually made bythe block Gr. Its clasping ends are made stronger, and so as to project farther into the timber, and thus hold the ends of tbc timber C and C together, and forni a strong splice. The manner of its insertion and the object accomplished are clearly shown in iig. 1. These clamps and packing-blocks are also made with a draught to them, and the gains or grooves in the chords are cut with corresponding draught-s, so that, by driving the clamp and packing-block down from the top vedge of the chords, they .draw the timber together eudways, holding them together. against the strain of thc"braoes.

After the blocks E, F, and G are arranged as shown, the whole is firmly fastened by the bolts I, las shown in fig. 1.

It is obvious that these clamping and packing-blocks may be interposed at different places in the line of the chords of wooden bridges, and areplaced in a-diHerent order from that described and shown in the drawings. It is also obvious that they may be advantageously used for clamping, packing, and splicing any series of timbers forming a chord, tie, or support, whether for wooden bridges or for other purposes, especially when it is desired to have strength and durability, by securing a strong splice, and avoiding the causes of decay that arise wherever the surfaces of vvood come in Contact; since by their use this contact is prevented. It is also obvious that as little surface ofthe iron and wood may bebrougbt into Contact as will be consistent or requisite in the structure in which the blocks may be used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, s-

The clamps and packing-blocks E, F, and Gr, inade of wrought iron, and constructed and arranged for use substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

T. B. WHITE.

Witnesses:

S. P. WHITE, W. S..M0RLAN. 

